Second thoughts about our FOS cruise

[flagger]

Gosh after seeing the pictures, I am having second thoughts about the whole thing. I am thinking the ship is just too big and though there will be HUNDREDS of opportunities for my then 3.5 year old, there will also be 1,000s of other passengers sharing that experience with me.

 

Though we are going at an off-peak time, I am really wondering if this was the right decision to make or the right cruiseship to take.

[Green Eyed Mom99]

Gosh after seeing the pictures, I am having second thoughts about the whole thing. I am thinking the ship is just too big and though there will be HUNDREDS of opportunities for my then 3.5 year old, there will also be 1,000s of other passengers sharing that experience with me.

 

Though we are going at an off-peak time, I am really wondering if this was the right decision to make or the right cruiseship to take.

 

I would think in January would be a good time, at least you have a choice, we have to go in June 06, relax and enjoy it!!!

[HurricaneSally]

Flagger, even though the two of us seem to butt heads quite a bit. I have to say, I know you are a one income family and this is a very expensive ship. Why not look at the repo cruises like I do. We're not made of money either, but we are doing a 13 night out of Bayonne in October on the Zenith for a little over 900 pp. I can't see spending more than a 100 pp per day on a cruise. It just doesn't make sense to me.

[FitzLA]

Just remember that the space ratio on this ship is better than any ship in their fleet, and better even that Voyager class. It only holds about 500 more passengers than Voyager class ships, yet is quite a bit larger in terms of space. There will be plenty to do and you will notice the crowds less on this ship than you would on a smaller ship with about 3000 pax. Just go and enjoy. It will be a great experience. The crowds will most definately be better than Disney!

[PhoenixCruiser]

I would think that the wait times would be horrible, this could be hard on a 3.5 year old, the parents, AND the other guests :D

 

###

[brn2crz]

I am not completely up to speed on the specs of the Freedom.I have seen all the pictures,and I do know that it is only longer in size than the other Voyager class ships.

I have been on Rhapsody 4 times,and on Mariner once.Over all..It does not seem that different to me.Yes,there are more locations to go to,and more to do,and you have the Promonade..But when you are in any certain location its not like you "sense" the enormity of it all...

We were very happy on Mariner,and yes,we went in off season.Oct.

Being all the excitement over Freedom..Maybe even January will be crowded,but I doubt it will be uncomfortable..

 

We never felt overwhelmed by crowds on Mariner...And had JR's to ourselves one night.

Flagger,you know enough to know what you will be comfortable with...

But I for one would not give up the oppurtunity...

Sea days on any ship,the areas are crowded...So I think size is all relative..

 

Whatever you choose have a great time..

 

And think about Jan 08 for Voyager out of Galveston.

[flagger]

Flagger, even though the two of us seem to butt heads quite a bit. I have to say, I know you are a one income family and this is a very expensive ship. Why not look at the repo cruises like I do. We're not made of money either, but we are doing a 13 night out of Bayonne in October on the Zenith for a little over 900 pp. I can't see spending more than a 100 pp per day on a cruise. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Money has nothing to do with it. I dont talk about my economic status but being a one income family has nothing to do with it. Ms. Flagger is quite well compensated. Barring a new house which I consider an investment and not a debt, we are 100% debt free. However, her position has will make it quite difficult to take 13-14 days off in a row ATM.

 

I am just worried about all those people and maybe thinking a Radiance or another M-Class ship might be better suited for our tastes.

[negc]

I would think that the wait times would be horrible, this could be hard on a 3.5 year old, the parents, AND the other guests :D

 

###

 

I'm wondering what wait times you are talking about that would involve things appropriate for a 3.5 year old? I don't think we are talking about the surfing pool or the rock climbing wall. The H2O zone doesn't look like it would have lines. The Adventure Ocean program is designed with age-appropriate activities and should be adequately staffed to handle the number of kids onboard. The solarium and the hot tubs are off limits to kids, as are the casino, the concierge lounge and the bars, so again I guess I would have to ask where they will encounter these "horrible" wait times.:confused:

[GMoney]

I'm wondering what wait times you are talking about that would involve things appropriate for a 3.5 year old? I don't think we are talking about the surfing pool or the rock climbing wall. The H2O zone doesn't look like it would have lines. The Adventure Ocean program is designed with age-appropriate activities and should be adequately staffed to handle the number of kids onboard. The solarium and the hot tubs are off limits to kids, as are the casino, the concierge lounge:confused: and the bars, so again I guess I would have to ask where they will encounter these "horrible" wait times.

 

Well put. I was wondering the same thing.

[PhoenixCruiser]

I'm wondering what wait times you are talking about that would involve things appropriate for a 3.5 year old? I don't think we are talking about the surfing pool or the rock climbing wall. The H2O zone doesn't look like it would have lines. The Adventure Ocean program is designed with age-appropriate activities and should be adequately staffed to handle the number of kids onboard. The solarium and the hot tubs are off limits to kids, as are the casino, the concierge lounge and the bars, so again I guess I would have to ask where they will encounter these "horrible" wait times.:confused:

 

Bill, I was thinking about getting on and off the ship, lines for ice cream, JRs, getting tickets for ice skating shows, getting in and out of shows, etc.

 

Just my opinion! I guess we'll have to wait until some paying customers give us their review.

 

###

[Nliedel]

Teh space ratio is pretty decent. I suspect it will feel about as crowded as you V-ger classes. I did not feel one bit cramped on the Mariner. Which shocked me.

 

That said, I will probably not look for a V-ger class again. It's too big for me, too much.

 

Your mileage may vary.

[flagger]

I'm wondering what wait times you are talking about that would involve things appropriate for a 3.5 year old? I don't think we are talking about the surfing pool or the rock climbing wall. The H2O zone doesn't look like it would have lines. The Adventure Ocean program is designed with age-appropriate activities and should be adequately staffed to handle the number of kids onboard. The solarium and the hot tubs are off limits to kids, as are the casino, the concierge lounge and the bars, so again I guess I would have to ask where they will encounter these "horrible" wait times.:confused:

First off I was just talking about the sheer numbers of people on board. The crowds down the promenade, the influx and offlux of people at the various ports, the shows, the restaurants, etc.

 

As far as rock walls and surf riders, she actually now climbs smaller versions of rock walls and has been on the surfing rider at the Schlitterbahn in New Braunsfels and LOVED it.

[Firefighterhoop]

I think the lines will be almost non existant in a lot of those areas - there is no line now for several things such as the rock wall (usually a small line), the Ben and Jerrys Ice cream has a much bigger location, the Pizza area has a big location.

 

I am sure they have made the eating areas (Windjammer, JR's, and the Dining rooms) larger to accomodate the additional 500 people.

 

I am sure RCCL will be expanding ther number of staff to handle embarkation/debarkation.

 

The surf area, of course will probabally have a line on sea days in the afternoon - especially during high teen travel times (Summer, winter break, spring break) , but it's not like you can get a shorter line for a surf area on another ship....it's the only one like it, so it's not fair saying the line is too long.

[GMoney]

First off I was just talking about the sheer numbers of people on board. The crowds down the promenade, the influx and offlux of people at the various ports, the shows, the restaurants, etc.

 

As far as rock walls and surf riders, she actually now climbs smaller versions of rock walls and has been on the surfing rider at the Schlitterbahn in New Braunsfels and LOVED it.

 

If it worries you that much then don't go. There are too many other options out there to ensure you get what you want.

[negc]

First off I was just talking about the sheer numbers of people on board. The crowds down the promenade, the influx and offlux of people at the various ports, the shows, the restaurants, etc.

 

As far as rock walls and surf riders, she actually now climbs smaller versions of rock walls and has been on the surfing rider at the Schlitterbahn in New Braunsfels and LOVED it.

 

If you are concerned by the sheer numbers of people, and I can understand that, do not, under any circumstances, take her to Disney World. For long lines and crowds of people, WDW far surpasses anything you will find onboard the FOS or any cruise ship. With a little patience and planning you can probably avoid the worst crowds and still experience all that the ship has to offer.

[Firefighterhoop]

Flagger, even though the two of us seem to butt heads quite a bit. I have to say, I know you are a one income family and this is a very expensive ship. Why not look at the repo cruises like I do. We're not made of money either, but we are doing a 13 night out of Bayonne in October on the Zenith for a little over 900 pp. I can't see spending more than a 100 pp per day on a cruise. It just doesn't make sense to me.

 

I agree - you just have to shop around for a great deal - book interior vs. balcony and save quite a bit on some sailings. Going on carnival AND rccl (Back to back 1 wk carnival and one RCCL) and total room charge for BOTH weeks was 894 and some change. (THATS 14 days for under 900 bucks!) interior rooms, but highest you can go on each ship (Deck 8 on both, under lido deck) If i would have went a week later, the price would have gone up about 500 bucks... SHOP AROUND! and watch for price drops!

 

Scott

[bobbie0253]

Money has nothing to do with it. I dont talk about my economic status but being a one income family has nothing to do with it.

 

 

May I please see your W2??? ;)

 

I'll get mine out too.... ;)

[Fury1995]

Gosh after seeing the pictures, I am having second thoughts about the whole thing. I am thinking the ship is just too big and though there will be HUNDREDS of opportunities for my then 3.5 year old, there will also be 1,000s of other passengers sharing that experience with me.

 

Though we are going at an off-peak time, I am really wondering if this was the right decision to make or the right cruiseship to take.

 

 

Have you tried any of the Radiance Class ships? May I inquire whether you are on the East or West coasts?

[cmich068]

Flagger- corster here :) (remember me? :P)

 

I've been on Rhapsody (i've noticed you've been) and on Voyager Class ships. I really didn't notice the size difference, RCCL does a very good job of keeping the same room per person... The extra lines and capacity in the Windjammer keep those lines down....The extra bar ontop of the Pool Bar takes some of the strain off the main bar.. etc etc...

 

Freedom really isn't much bigger than Voyager. You'll be overwhelmed right when you get on board, but after your first night, it'll seem smaller than it is.

 

If you want a larger than Vision-Class ship, but don't want the massive size, try a Radiance Class ship. I hear they are very nice ships, in fact nicer than Voyager/Freedom.

[Schplinky]

Flagger,

 

I know it sounds too big and crowded but I can tell you that Navigator was MUCH less crowded than Constellation (I know you also cruise X) simply because it is so big. With so many activities, folks are much better distributed throughout the ship. We expected tons of space when we went on the Constellation because she is a third smaller but we were more often struck by how everyone was at the pool fighting over space.

[flagger]

We are thinking of changing to a Radiance class ship because methinks FOS is just going to be too big for our tastes.

[TxKroozer]

We have never experienced lines like we did on our "earlier day" cruises on Carnival and such. We have cruised on Rhapsody, Adventures, Mariner and are suprised to say the Voyager Class ships holding more people are actulally less crowded feeling then the smaller ships with less people.

 

I think the Freedom will likley feel the same way. No doubt if there will be any lines, they will likely form only for the Flow Rider, but that will subside quickly over time and during the cruise.